It's time to fire up

DESPITE expecting to have a target painted on their backs after their trans-Tasman Championship win last year, Noosa's Keirra Trompf and her Queensland Firebirds teammates have failed to adapt to the extra scrutiny.

The Firebirds go into this weekend's grand final rematch against the Northern Mystics with a season record of one win from five games and sit equal last on the ladder.

Trompf said the Firebirds expected their rivals to aim up against them, but had failed to counteract that push in the opening rounds.

"We expected it in theory but we didn't really deal with it," she said. "The reality is we can't relax. We have to be able to identify what the other side is going to do and adjust.

"We let ourselves down by getting away from what we're good at. We have to come up with a plan B. We have to get out on court and get tougher from here on out."

Although the side is 1-4 to start the year, there are still positives. Three of the Firebirds' losses have been by five points or less, including their thrilling one-point loss at the hands of the unbeaten Melbourne Vixens last weekend.

Trompf said although confidence was lacking in the squad, she was certain the side was not far away from turning it around.

She said there was no simple answer to the hole they had found themselves in, but they were not giving up on their title defence just yet.

"We know we have the side to play well," she said, "but if we're not to A-grade standard and we're not ready, the Mystics are going to get one up on us.

"We've got a lot of work to do. They've got great shooters, they've showed they're a great side. That's why they're sitting in third. But we want to come away with the win."